FARMINGTON, N.Y. – Breakin the Fever was named 2016 Finger Lakes “Horse of the Year” at the annual Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association awards dinner on Saturday. The 4-year-old New York-bred owned and trained by Debra Breed won all of his five starts this year at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack (FLGR).
The $458,081 earner took the FLGR top horse honors for the second consecutive year. He has dominated the sprinter division at his home track with 12 victories in 14 career FLGR starts.
The fast gelding won three stakes this year including two at FLGR under jockey Nazario Alvarado. He displayed his class at Belmont Park when he upset Weekend Hideaway in the $150,000 Hudson Handicap on October 22.
Also on Saturday, two new members were officially inducted into the FLGR Hall of Fame. Shesastonecoldfox and Rudy Rincon were recognized for their talent and past achievements.
Shesastonecoldfox established herself as the best New York- bred 2-year-old filly in 2001. She scored a convincing five length victory in the $65,350 Lady Fingers Stakes and defeated male rivals in the $137,900 New York Breeders’ Futurity.
The $216,409 earner owned by Langpap Stables was voted champion 2-year-old filly and M. Anthony Ferraro was named Outstanding Trainer by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders’ in 2001. Her accomplishments made her eligible to compete against the best young thoroughbreds in the world in the $1 Mil Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Rudy Rincon won the first ever FLGR jockey title in 1962. Rincon remained one of the top FLGR jockeys during the first two decades, earning a total of four jockey titles during that span. After the successful first Finger Lakes season, he also claimed top jockey honors in 1973, 1974, and 1978.
Rincon continued to persevere and recorded seven stakes victories during the 1980’s. His final stakes win was with C B Account in the 1997 Wadsworth Memorial Handicap. He was aboard C B Account when he set a track record the same year.
Rincon completed his extensive prosperous career in 1999 with a total of 2,975 lifetime victories.
Nine horses received awards in ten different categories at the annual dinner. Below is a complete listing of the 2016 winners:
2016 Finger Lakes H.B.P.A. Awards
Best $5,000 Claimer (Colt, Horse or Gelding) – New York Tough
Best $5,000 Claimer (Filly or Mare) – My Favorite Two
Best $6,500 and up Claimer (Colt, Horse or Gelding) – Green Diamond Cat
Best Condition Allowance (Colt, Horse or Gelding) – Archer Hill
Best Starter Allowance (Colt, Horse or Gelding) – Lane Allen
Best Older Colt, Horse or Gelding – Breakin the Fever
Best Older Mare – Midnight Champagne
Best 3-Year-Old Colt or Gelding – Saratoga Giro
Best 3-Year-Old Filly – Finger Painter
Horse of the Year – Breakin the Fever
About Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack: In operation since 1962, the facility added gaming to its offering in 2004 and expanded again in 2013 by adding 33,000 square feet with a $12 million expansion. Nearly two million visitors annually now visit the facility highlighted by over 1,500 gaming machines, the 448-seat Vineyard Buffet, Express, Remedy Bar & Lounge, as well as live and simulcast thoroughbred racing. Gaming doors open at 8 a.m. and racing doors open at 11:30 a.m. daily. For more information, visit www.fingerlakesgaming.com.